Georgia is lucky to have the five of the largest Lifeline cell phone providers in their state. Read on to see if you qualify and how to get your free phone and free minutes and texts.
Despite the fact that Georgia has one of the strongest, most diversified economies in the south, nearly 800,000 of the state’s residents are eligible, but do not take advantage of the Lifeline phone service, which provide them with a free cell phone from the government. Are you one of them?
The Peach State’s Per Capita personal income (2007) is $33,499. That ranks just 37th among the states and means that a large number of Georgians rank near the poverty line, and that makes them eligible for Lifeline phone service.
But if you live in Georgia you are in luck because you have four free cell phones companies in your state. We recommend that you contact them all to see which one offers the program that’s best for you needs.
Where to get a free cell phone in Georgia
There are many major free cell phone providers in the state of Georgia. You should take a look at each one before deciding which company to go with.
- Access Wireless
- Amerimex Mobile * Designed for hispanics
- Assurance Wireless
- Entouch Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Q-link Wireless
- Safelink Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
- Standup Wireless
- Tempo Communications
Lifeline Discount Companies in Georgia
If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, but you find that none of the companies offer free government cell phones where you live, you have another option. The companies below, while not offering free cell phone plans, do offer substantial Lifeline discounts off their regular mobile phone plans in Georgia:
How to qualify for a Lifeline government cell phone in Georgia
There are two ways to qualify for a cell phone: 1) by showing that your income is below a certain level, or 2) if you already participate in a even just one of many government aid programs.
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Georgia:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivor's Benefit.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
If you don’t participate in any of the above programs, you may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See chart below to see these calculated income levels:
| Income Based Eligibility for Georgia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual income | |
| 1 member | $16,389 | |
| 2 members | $22,221 | |
| 3 members | $28,053 | |
| 4 members | $33,885 | |
| 5 members | $39,717 | |
| 6 members | $45,549 | |
| 7 members | $51,381 | |
| 8 members | $57,213 | |
| For each additional member add $5,832 annually | ||
Latest News for Georgia:
If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.
Tony Smith says
May 24, 2019 at 12:08 pmI’ve got an 83 year old friend that’s in a nursing home and he’s got a flip cell phone but no money to buy minutes. The nursing home has WI-FI if he could get a smart phone he could use the WI-Fi to make calls. Will you please let me know if something is available for him. He has no family support. Thanks
Tony Smith
*********@yahoo.com
478-457-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
May 24, 2019 at 4:31 pmDid you check all the companies and plans listed on this page. You should be able to find a better plan for him.
Sunny says
March 16, 2019 at 6:17 pmI applied for a government phone and they sent me a Sim card for a phone I never got. And now I can’t get service from no other government phone. How do I get a government phone if I can’t get one because of what happened.
Free Government Cell Phones says
March 16, 2019 at 6:28 pmYou are able to switch from one service provider to another any time after you’ve had your account for 60 days or longer.
JA says
July 11, 2018 at 4:43 pmDoes CHIP (peachcarefor kids) qualify for lifeline or just full medicaid? thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
July 11, 2018 at 7:22 pmParticipation in state programs will no longer make you eligible, JA. Only federal assistance programs will now do the trick. Check out all the ways to become eligible in this article:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
donna broadbent says
July 25, 2018 at 12:22 amHowdo iget one im on ssi and homeless and im in need of aphone
Free Government Cell Phones says
July 25, 2018 at 5:33 amJust click around this website, Donna. It will tell you everything you need to know.
CAROL Price says
March 28, 2018 at 12:11 pmWas just checking,it’s been 2wks since I applied.I sent papers and filled out form.Please let me know something.Tks.
Free Government Cell Phones says
March 28, 2018 at 4:46 pmYou didn’t send the paperwork to us, Carol, because this is an independent informational website that’s NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. You need to contact customer service at the company you enrolled with.
Robert L. Turner says
February 12, 2018 at 7:31 pmI qualify salary wise but I have no idea where to start to apply. Is there an application?
Free Government Cell Phones says
February 13, 2018 at 5:58 pmPlease read the information on the above page, and you’ll find your way to the application.
carl robison says
January 27, 2018 at 11:08 amneed the phone for emergencies. 81 year old living alone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
January 27, 2018 at 9:35 pmContact any of the free government cell phone companies listed on this page and then enroll with them, Carl.
chris says
July 8, 2017 at 10:14 pmIs there a way to find out where the people come around in the tents for the free phones cause in having trouble trying to set it up online
Free Government Cell Phones says
July 9, 2017 at 4:16 amWe urge you to try again to set it up online or call customer service, Chris. There have been too many cases of fraud and abuse at the street tents and booths.
Debbie simpson says
June 18, 2017 at 10:15 amMy 84 year old mother had a free cell phone that stopped working She recieved a replacement and it NEVER worked It has been returned and no reply from whatever government program that sent the phone. She still drives and really needs a phone in case something we’re to happen. How can she get another one ??
Free Government Cell Phones says
June 18, 2017 at 3:35 pmContact your service provider’s customer service team and ask to speak to a supervisor, Debbie.
Sheryl says
April 19, 2017 at 6:21 amGood morning, My boyfriend certainly qualifies for a free govt phone. However he lives in 31017 (Danville) GA. Which if any company covers thid rural GA area?
Free Government Cell Phones says
April 19, 2017 at 6:43 amWe’re unable to track signal strength down to the local level, Sheryl, but you can contact any of the companies on this page to discuss availability and signal strength in your area.
Evelyn L Smith says
February 14, 2017 at 11:26 amI have been unable to recertify my TRACFNE and now I don’t have any service. I have tried to go online and wasn’t successful there, I have even tried using someone else’s phone but kept getting disconnected. I live in Thomasville, Ga can you please help me get my service back.
Free Government Cell Phones says
February 14, 2017 at 2:18 pmThere’s no way for us to know what the problem is, Evelyn, but if you are now without a free government cell phone account you may want to enroll with another company that offers you more minutes, more texts, more data, a better smartphone, etc. Here’s where you can find a list of all the Lifeline companies offer free government cell phones in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Becky says
April 4, 2016 at 6:52 pmI would love to apply for employment opportunities to aid and show the public how to take advantage of this great opportunity. I think this is a great idea.
Free Government Cell Phones says
April 5, 2016 at 5:42 pmYou can find a full list of potential employers by clicking on the “States” link at the top of this page. Then scroll down and click on “Georgia.” Click on each company to find articles that show the corporate contact info. We’d recommend contacting corporate and each company’s customer service team can probably give you that info. Good luck with the job hunting, Becky.
PATRICIA C MITCHELL says
March 22, 2016 at 5:57 pmI keep getting a message telling me my address doesn’t exist – What do I do?
Free Government Cell Phones says
March 22, 2016 at 8:56 pmIt’s an oddball problem that we’ve heard many times. Call your service provider and talk to customer service.
jason burts says
March 10, 2016 at 3:27 pmIs there a place to go to get a free government phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
March 11, 2016 at 10:42 amIt’s probably much easier to apply online or by phone. We do not always trust the “salesmen” who offer phones on the street.
samuel reed says
January 17, 2016 at 7:04 pmI Samuel reedsr my monthy income is 1.300 three family members
Gina Kristjanson says
January 7, 2016 at 7:10 amI had a phone call from a rep that was scheduled to come to Grace Senior living, but she left the company before her date to come and let our residents know about program,
My question is it possible to have rep come and let our residents know about safelinks wireless for seniors?
sincerely, Gina Kristjanson
Life enrichment coordinator
Grace Senior Living
Felicia Cooper says
October 5, 2015 at 7:27 amIt’s nice of What you all are doing
Sandra says
September 11, 2015 at 1:29 pmtrying to get free cell phone how do i get one
Steve says
August 14, 2015 at 6:33 amReally could use phone to help get me a job
josie says
July 30, 2015 at 1:20 amMy husband works a part time job sometimes only getting 15 hours for one week . I have a lot of health issues with my heart . I had a heartache in 2011 and my body is getting worse . It’s hard to stay outside for long periods of time . Most weeks he does good to make his truck payment $200 every 2 weeks . He stresses cause he can’t check and see how I’m feeling . I have more bad days than good ! Thank you from both of us .! Sincerely Josie Coleman
josie says
July 30, 2015 at 1:23 amAbout how long will the process take ?
William says
April 15, 2016 at 6:56 pmMy name is William. Wilkinson. I was approved for a free phone by a lady,that was at the wall Mart in Cordele ga 31015.she said I could,pick it up April the 15.but she wasn’t there. I don’t even know what company it is. Can u help me.my last four as numbers are **** .bd*****. Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
April 15, 2016 at 8:40 pmUnfortunately, William, this is exactly why we warn our readers not to get their free government cell phones from street vendors. We have no way of knowing which company you dealt with.
S Davis says
June 13, 2015 at 10:49 amI have Cell phone but I used it too little and it was turned off (didn’t work) when I did need it.
Its a Samsung,serial # 356 727 057 284 141 and (404). 883.****. I think the service was through Life(something)
I get food stamps and on SSDI so I world be called low-income
At 62 now, I don’t have the money to spend on phones
****, Atlanta Ga. 30307. Would leave phone # but don’t have one.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
June 14, 2015 at 9:07 amYOu should be able to apply at any company for a new phone.
Terri Lucas says
June 10, 2015 at 5:08 amI need to know where the tent is at in jesup g so i can avoid the wait in the mail
carolsusan angel says
May 11, 2015 at 8:07 amI’m disabled and really news a phone to call my Drs
Millie Finwhat e says
April 28, 2015 at 8:12 amI am contacting you for my sister. She is unemployed with three children. Separated from an abusive spouse that refuses to pay for child support. All the plans require some income. There must be something for her to get started with until she can support herself.
lois e timms says
March 25, 2015 at 4:42 pmhi i have never had a free government phone from your company NEVER had one so what can i do to order one yes i am on food stamps and medicade yes i did sent my info to one company and I HAVE NOT HEARD nothing yet it has been months ago at least 6 to 8 months ago do you have any cell phones with roll over minutes also i Dont have NO money to buy one PLEASE help me
tom walters says
January 5, 2015 at 11:22 amIs social social security considered ‘income’?
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
January 5, 2015 at 12:14 pmYes, it counts as income.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/do-social-security-unemployment-count-towards-total-household-income
Rajesh Thapa says
December 21, 2014 at 2:42 amI need One Free Phone PZ give me one phone
Sybil Weldon says
November 7, 2014 at 6:45 pmI am on food stamps and need a phone to get a job.
RICHARD ORR says
August 12, 2014 at 3:29 pmI already have a phone with yall but I have moved from macon,ga. to eastman,ga so I need to know what I need to do to get another number so my phone will work here in eastman
Free Government Cell Phones says
August 12, 2014 at 4:57 pmYou don’t have a phone with us because we aren’t a cell phone company. You’ll need to call your cell phone provider. It’s one of the vendors on our Georgia free cell phone page.
Pearlie Sanders says
August 2, 2014 at 5:37 pmi am 65 on a fixed income cannot afford a cell phone at this time this
cell phone would mean so much to because i cannot afford road service
i thank you so very much for this offer.
jacki Bedingfield says
July 2, 2014 at 11:28 pmMy mother has been admitted to the nursing home after living with me for 2 years. I have got to have back surgery and will be unable to drive for 8 months and i am my mother’s only living relative. She needs a phone so badly and she only gets 50.00 from her monthly check. I must pay 25.00 weekly to get her hair washed and must pay out of my pocket her Depends. Can you please help me get her a phone so she doesn’t feel like I have thrown her away. Please let me know what I can do for her> Sincerely.Jacki